MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte’s directive to government appointees to consider their posts vacant only covers appointees of the Aquino administration and heads of agencies he specifically referred to, said Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella.

“As per update, according to Secretary Andanar, this refers to appointees from the past administration, and that with the exception of two that were actually addressed, it does not apply to the current appointees,” Abella clarified on Monday, August 22, during a press conference at Malacañang Palace. 

Some appointees from the Aquino administration have stayed in their positions while their replacements under the Duterte administration have yet to be named.

On Sunday, August 21, Duterte said presidential appointees should consider their posts vacant because he is convinced corruption persists in most agencies despite his administration’s campaign for a “clean government.”

Duterte specifically named the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) as two agencies where corruption remains prevalent, based on reports that have reached him.

His order does not cover career officials or Cabinet secretaries.

The current LTO chief is former Philippine National Police Deputy Chief of Operations Edgar Galvante while the LTFRB chief is lawyer Martin Delgra III. Duterte has asked LTFRB officials to see him in Malacañang. 

However, it is still unclear if presidential appointees with fixed term limits would be covered by Duterte’s directive.

Abella did say that those with tenure would undergo a review process.

“There’s going to be a review of those with tenure, heads of agencies with tenure,” said Abella. – Rappler.com